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Max's dream is to live in Paris and be a poet--even though no one will buy his poems, and he is penniless. But living in New York City isn't so bad. Where else could he have friends like Bruno, who paints invisible pictures, or Marcello, who builds upside-down houses? FUll-color illustrations.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this bohemian celebration, Max the dog, the poet, the dreamer, is back. His struggle for acceptance since Hey Willy, See the Pyramids has not been easy--Max has had to post his poems on a wall at the corner of Pastrami and Salami Streets for his fellow New Yorkers to see. Even as he pines for Paris, Max admits that New York City is fine by him: " . . . a jumping, jazzy city, a shimmering, stimmering triple-decker sandwich kind of city." In this unique blend of reality and fantasy, intermingled words and images seem influenced by such strange sources as Mamie Eisenhower's wardrobe, the Jazz Age and the Theatre of the Absurd. Banter that rings with sophistication is well matched by the esoteric illustrative approach readers have come to expect from Kalman. Although there is much to glean from an unhurried single reading, this fanciful creation yields its greatest treasures through repeated visits. All ages. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Maira Kalman puts a smile on my face with each and every one of her drawings. In my highbrow frame of mind, I take down the Strunk/White/ Kalman illustrated edition of "The Elements of Style" (Penguin, 2005). I can find myself stage center in her ever so apt illustration titled "None of Us Is Perfect". It drives home the Strunkian rule "With NONE, use the singular verb when the word means `no one' or `not one." And if I find myself puzzling about the meaning of it all, I go at once to "The Principles of Uncertainty," her 2009 masterpiece for her view on "Cartesian Interactive Dualism."

But when my grandchildren ask me what book I want read to me before bed time I invariably tell them "Mad Max Makes A Million." "But we just read that last night, Grampy. How about 'No Kiss for Mother' [Tomi Ungerer's 1973 masterpiece] for a change?" "Tomorrow maybe," I tell them. "I want to listen to Max read his poems one more time." Max, the canine poet, lives with "Ida and Morris Stravinsky in the spacious Stravinsky apartment" in Manhattan. He leads a dog's life, with amenities too numerous to mention. But, as he says, "I have the roots. Now I want the wings." He wants to take his show on the road. Paris.

But he's broke. As he says, "Ha! Plane tickets cost money. Mazuma, shekels, semelians." If only he could sell his poems, maybe, just maybe, he could make it to "Paris. The city of dreams. The city of lights. The city of love." So there you have the plot. Will Max sell his poems, make a million, fly off on his new wings to Paris? Think I'm going to give the ending away? Not on your life. But I will let you in on the reason I want the grand kids to read me this book before I go to bed: "If I didn't mention before, I should mention now. This book is about dreamers. Wishful thinkers.Read more ›

This is a delightful, creative book full of energy, imagery, and language. I think it is more for adults than children and would make an excellent gift for any artist or writer who must work at his day job while dreaming of "Paree"! Kalman's visual images are imaginative and fun.

Max Makes a Million is far and away my favorite book to read to my kids. The rhythm of its poetry is remarkable. Its drawings are fresh. Its story delightfully different. I have read many other Kalman books, and this is hands down the very best.

Maira Kalman has a wonderful wit and a tremendous artistic style. It is great when you find a book that appeals to the kids as well as the adults. Her seemingly simple paintings are at second glance alive with color and depth. Check out all her stuff.

If you like e.e. cummings, this book, along with the three other Max Stravinsky books i know, is for you. And your kids might even like watching while you read it to yourself. If you don't like e.e. cummings, you should.

More About the Author

Maira Kalman is an illustrator, author, and designer. She has created many covers for The New Yorker, including the famous map of Newyorkistan (created with Rick Meyerowitz). Ms. Kalman's twelve children's books include Max Makes a Million, Stay Up Late, Swami on Rye, and What Pete Ate. She also has designed fabric for Isaac Mizrahi, accessories for Kate Spade, sets for the Mark Morris Dance Company, and, with her late husband Tibor Kalman under the M&Co. label, clocks, umbrellas, and other accessories for the Museum of Modern Art. Ms. Kalman's work is shown at the Julie Saul Gallery in Manhattan.